Clinical laboratory apparatus

Abstract

A clinical laboratory apparatus includes a plurality of reaction cuvettes, a first dispenser, a second dispenser, a controller, and an analyzer. A subject sample and a reagent are mixed in each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes. The first dispenser is configured to dispense the subject sample into each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes. The second dispenser is configured to dispense the reagent into each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes so that the subject sample and the reagent are mixed. The controller is configured to categorize the plurality of reaction cuvettes into at least first and second groups, to designate at least first and second analysis items among two or more analysis items with respect to the subject sample, to control the second dispenser to avoid dispensing the reagent relevant to the first analysis item into the second group of the reaction cuvettes. The analyzer is configured to analyze a mixed result.

1. A clinical laboratory apparatus, comprising:
 a plurality of reaction cuvettes; 
 a first dispenser configured to dispense a subject sample into each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes; 
 a second dispenser configured to dispense a reagent into each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes so that the subject sample and the reagent are mixed; 
 a controller configured to 
 categorize the plurality of reaction cuvettes into at least a first and a second group, 
 designate at least a first and a second analysis item among two or more analysis items associated with the subject sample to the first and second groups, respectively, 
 assign each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes to one of the two or more analysis items from which the first and second analysis items have been designated, 
 compare the categorized group of each of the plurality of reaction cuvettes assigned to the first and second analysis item to the designated groups of the first and second analysis items to determine whether the categorized group of the reaction cuvette is identical to the designated group of the analysis item assigned to the cuvette, and 
 if not identical cause the second dispenser to skip a first reaction cuvette and reassign a second reaction cuvette provided next to the first reaction cuvette to the first analysis item upon the determination that the first reaction cuvette, which was categorized in the second group, has been assigned to the first analysis item; and 
 an analyzer configured to analyze a mixed result. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the plurality of reaction cuvettes are linearly provided, the reaction cuvettes provided in odd-number orders are categorized into the first group and the reaction cuvettes provided in even-number orders are categorized into the second group. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to designate the first analysis item as an analysis item whose analysis result is affected through one of the plurality of reaction cuvettes used for the second analysis item if the one reaction cuvette is used for the first analysis item. 
     
     
       4. The clinical laboratory apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to reassign the first reaction cuvette to the second analysis item and the second reaction cuvette to the first analysis item upon a determination that the first reaction cuvette, which has been assigned to the first analysis item, was categorized into the second group, and the second reaction cuvette, which has been assigned to the second analysis item, was categorized into the first group. 
     
     
       5. The clinical laboratory apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to reassign the first reaction cuvette to a third analysis item other than the first and second analysis items and reassign the second reaction cuvette to the first analysis item, upon a determination that the first reaction cuvette, which has been assigned to the first analysis item, was categorized into the second group and that the second reaction cuvette has been assigned to the third analysis item and was categorized into the first group. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the plurality of reaction cuvettes are linearly provided, the reaction cuvettes provided in odd-number orders are categorized into the first group and the reaction cuvettes provided in even-number orders are categorized into the second group, and the first reaction cuvette is provided in the even-number order. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an input unit configured to input an instruction, wherein the controller is configured to designate the at least first and second analysis items in accordance with the instruction. 
     
     
       8. The clinical laboratory apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second reaction cuvette was categorized into the first group. 
     
     
       9. The clinical laboratory apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the two or more analysis items associated with the subject sample are assigned to adjacent ones of the plurality of reaction cuvettes.